Love it or hate it, there are some things that are truly ingrained in one’s culture that make them who they are. Bullfighting for instance is as basic to the Spanish culture as eating tapas or dancing the flamenco. On the other side of the world, cockfighting is as ingrained to Filipinos as the Christmas belenor the lechon during each fiesta.
Bullfighting has existed for thousands of years since the time of Emperor Claudius two thousand years ago. Cockfighting has been in the Philippines for thousands of years. It has become so popular that the sport appeals to both the upper and lower echelons of society.
In Spain, the bullfighting season runs from April until September, usually on a Sunday. Then there are the special bull festivals such as the Pamplona Running of Bulls which is one of the most famous yet chaotic yet exciting experiences one can have. People run in front of the bulls apparently to taunt them and test their emotional quotient and patience. The bulls that take part in the morning run fight in the afternoon.
In the Philippines, the sabongsessionsthat takeplace in almost every small townduring Sundays has its own adrenalin rush. Imagine this scene. Hundreds of sabungeros (mostly male) converge, haggling loudly and simultaneously in quick succession as kristos take bets right and left. The passion for the sport is so strong that the country even hosts the annual World Slasher Cup at the historic Araneta Coliseum. This year, the derby brings together a record-breaking figure or more than 250 entries from the most celebrated cock breeders for the prestigious championship. Hosted by the Pintakasi of Champions and presented by BMeg, the bi-annual cockfighting derby also has Thunderbird and Sagupaan as its major sponsors.
Unlike golf, cockfighting is not an elitist sport a great equalizer. You see the ordinary mortals or simple folk such as kristos and cock caretakers mixing it up with showbiz personalities and politicians. The sport breaks up perceived social and economic barriers in our society. In the cockpit, whether it be the small town sabungans, or large arenas such as the Araneta Coliseum that can accommodate 17,000 persons, the passion is pretty much of the same dizzying levels. When the sabungeros place their bets – they all become equal.
Then there is the issue of animal cruelty. Devotedsabungeros claim that the number of cocks that die each year during sabong battles pales in comparison to the number of animals dying in unfit slaughterhouses than in the cockpit.For the time they are alive,these coclers live like kings.
They are pampered with vitamins, shampoos, air-conditioned quarters, and even massages, all to ensure their viciousness during battle. Others contend that the bird is eaten afterwards hence there is no waste.
Cockfighting is so fascinating that it has even captivated the fancy of certain artists. Numerous art forms depict cockfighting in several aspects – from the flurry of feathers to the passion of the sabungeros. Over at the high-end Gateway Complex right beside the Araneta Coliseum, one marvels at the intricate artwork of white rooster cutouts. During the Philippine Independence Day Celebration in 2002, the lobby of the Philippine Center at Fifth Avenue, New York displayed the works of Fil-Am artists Lenore RS Lim, Christina QuisumbingRamilo, Athena Magcase Lopez, Reno Marquez, Mario Fernandez and Al Ompod in an exhibit called “Sa Pula, Sa Puti”. Angel Cacnio’s painting entitled “Sabong” utilizes cleverly utilizes color and imagery to depict the intensity of the sport.
Cockfighting also gives livelihood to thousands and rakes in the tourism revenues. And then there are some fortunate individuals whose kristoskill has gained for them international recognition. In a recent global memory contest, former small town kristo, Roberto MangaranRacasa wowed the world when he memorized 3 decks of shuffled cards and replicated them perfectly in order. He said that his teenage years as a kristo developed his memory skills.
Yes, there are some traditions and cultural intricacies that divide opinion. For every sabungero or cock breeder willing to defend their sport, there are those who just see the gladiator aspect of the sport. Still, the practice goes on. Despite clamor from animal rights activists, even the European Union is not banning bullfighting recognizing the tourism revenues it pulls in. In the Philippines, with the record-breaking number of entries in the 2011 World Slasher Cup that will lock tares from January 17 to 23 at the Big Dome, sabongis definitely here to stay.###
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